The Ground Beneath My Feet

When I’m out walking, I frequently look up - to the treetops and to the sky. I always look sideways - at the fields and the hedgerows. But rarely - well, never - do I keep my eyes fixed to the ground.

So this morning, I did.

Joss and I were wandering up a lane which is very scenic, upwards and sideways. But I’ve always thought it pretty uninteresting at ground level. It’s a rough track composed of dirt and gravel. That’s it. Or so I thought. Turns out there’s a bit more to it than that.

Embedded in the soil, there’s a stray red brick. And an old railway sleeper. And a shard of green glass. And a beautiful, vivid blue stone.

Etched into the soft surface, this morning, were patterns made by tyre tracks and horseshoes. Though hoof prints weren’t the only things the horses had left behind!

There were frequent puddles and little rivulets of water. In which the swaying tree-tops waved to their own reflections.

The sun set shadows dancing - as the rosebay willowherb tossed in the breeze. My own shadow appeared sporadically: looming before me one moment; vanishing into the brown earth again the next.

The trees had shed their bounty along the way. We found rowan berries and beech nuts; seed-pods and squashed fruit; the first fallen leaves of autumn and a boomerang-shaped twig.

Humans have wantonly added to the surface decoration - with an abandoned bottle, a crisp packet, a sweet wrapper; a black bin liner and a bottle top inscribed DRENCH. Even a purple hair ribbon with white spots. Which reminded me of one I had as a little girl.

My favourite find of all was a dull red rock, sunk into the ground, which looked as if it had been cut into six wavy pieces of pie.

We found so many treasures, it takes two whole photo collages to spill the loot. And even that’s not everything.

So if ever you see a blonde-haired girl, mooching along with a dog at her heels and her nose to the ground….know that her eyes are open.

Comments

[Rosanna]

I love this piece today!

You brought out such delight and quiet peace in the seemingly mundane, and often unnoticed.

[Kate Godin]

Love, love, love this one.

[Tracy]

GREAT photos series, Helen... very real, very organic! :o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

[helen]

I enjoy the journeys you take us on so much...thank you.

[Chesteraudyou'll matenturH]

how observant you are and see such lovely things I keep my head down most of the time watching my step - perhaps I need to look further ahead.

[ab*]

A good reminder to be completely aware and observant. Thank you.